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Chapter Sixteen: Truly Alone

Arius moved through the hall as he could feel hostiles
storming the warehouse from every direction. They had them surrounded, but he
still had the shadows on his side. His mind ran rampant as he didn’t know what
to think. What would he tell the others?

He was back upon the second floor because of the hostiles
who quickly approached from the first floor. He retraced his steps the way he
had come, before finding himself in the large room where the gas container had
been found.

His eyes moved to the door he needed to go through, but he
spotted Brockumus’ body slumped upon the floor. A trail of blood led toward
him, and Arius was convinced that he was dead. Moving forward he rolled the man
over who groaned with whatever life he had left.

“Brockumus,” Arius said, cradling the man.

“You must run,” the man returned. “Dueson will kill you.”

“Why did you sabotage the ship?”

“It had to be done. It’s too late to explain, but know that
you must go. The others don’t trust you. Dueson will use that to his
advantage.”

“You have to tell me who you’re working for.”

“I can’t. Go.”

Brockumus’ head fell back as he breathed his last. Arius’
stomach turned hard as he watched the closest thing he had to a friend die.
Suddenly he felt alone.

The hostiles were moving closer, and now he was sure the
exits were blocked. Resting Brockumus’ body upon the floor he cast his eyes to
the large window behind the desk. Moving forward he smashed it with the butt of
his rifle, and spotted the lower wing of the warehouse below. He could see
several hostiles moving about the perimeter below, and he jumped before they
could cast their lights toward the shattered window.

A loud thud sounded as he bounced off of the metal roof, and
he began to slide to the edge where he fell to the pavement below. Arius’
breath was knocked out of him, and his left ankle pulsed in pain. He had
twisted it on his way down.

Lights past over him as he stared toward the sky. He
remained concealed within the darkness, and soon the hostiles were moving in
for a closer look.

Arius rolled over with a grunt and spotted the gas can by
his side. Luckily the nozzle had remained secure so no gasoline was spilling
out. Grabbing the can, he slipped past the soldiers unnoticed though a limp
slowed him down.

He headed toward the beach ignoring the flaring pain in his
ankle. It made his travel slow, but he didn’t have much farther to go. The last
building was before him, and the sandy beach was after it. Pressing his back
against the building he peered around the corner toward the boat house which
was only a few yards away.

Jayvolni was waiting outside along with three others. One of
them was Thorim, and the other two Gruegon and Camus. Apparently they had
caught up, and now Arius had to figure out a way to explain everything to them.
By now they were aware of the commotion at the warehouse as the leather
soldiers were in frenzy over there.

Arius began to step out, but pressed himself back against
the building as soon as he spotted Dueson approaching the men. Apparently he
had made it out of the warehouse alive.

“What happened?” Arius could feel Thorim’s voice in the air.
“Where are the others?”

“Arius,” replied Dueson with a flare of anger in his voice.
“He killed my brother, and I don’t know what he did to Brockumus. He’s a
traitor.”

Arius’ hands turned clammy. How could Dueson set him up
after what happened? His brother was killed at the hands of Brockumus, but yet
he continued to set him up.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure! I was there, I held my brother until he
died.”

“Where is Arius now?” asked Jayvolni.

“I don’t know.”

“We need to get out of here sir,” Camus said. “We don’t have
gas for the boat.”

Thorim appeared uncertain. Was Arius really the culprit, he
wondered. Pushing his thoughts aside he acknowledged Camus’ point and the group
started back into town. Jayvolni grabbed Dueson by the shoulder and gave his
regrets. The two followed Thorim into the night leaving Arius to himself.

What would he do now? He had no place to go, and his only
allies were now against him. He was truly alone, and he could only trust
himself.

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About Me

My full name is Paul Andrew Lackey, but most people call me Andrew. Born into a family of five (three siblings), I have grown up in the ministry. My vision is for the church as I wish to see true reformation back to God's word, and I am continually excited to see how God is moving in the world abroad.

I love to write and teach, and I have recently published a science fiction fantasy book that is a part of a greater series my brother and I have been working on over the years. Inspired by the adventures we had as children, Oam's Cry is a series spanning hundreds of years. Adventuring across strange worlds, mysterious islands, and haunted lands to outer space, and lost space stations, Oam's Cry has many worlds and mysteries to explore.

About this blog

My main purpose for starting this blog is as an advertisement front for my book series Oam's Cry. I also mean to meet fellow authors and writers along the way. I will try and post something frequently and look forward to seeing you around.